Funding towards Training / CPD

Any information regarding grants or funding that can be used for
training and CPD is always sought after and will be placed on this page.

Individual Learning Accounts - £200 FREE to go towards training!

Many of you will not be aware of how to apply for your £200 Individual Learning Account Grant. This grant is
available to anyone who earns less than £22,000 (e.g.
as a self employed person you declared less than that for taxable profit - that should be most of us, if not, sack your accountant).
This money can be used to pay for a wide range of training, much of which can be used as CPD, such as the first aid course 10 of us attended at West Lothian
College last year.
For more details click this link.

Money from the Scottish Government for training

The Scottish Government
provide Flexible Training opportunities grants, which can be applied for by any
small business with less than 150 employees. With these you can recoup up to 50%
(to a maximum of £500) of training costs
for NON MANDATORY training. This money is available to ANY small business, so if you are in the process
of tendering a fleet contract to a small employer then they
can recoup some of the costs they will pay you. Making sure they
know about this could swing the contract in your favour! The stipulation is that the grant must have been applied for and approved BEFORE TRAINING COMMENCES.

To download the application form click here Flexible Training Opportunities Application Form. Near the middle of this page is a section called how to apply, and from there a link
to the application form. Click this link and you will open a window with the application form in it. Included in this document are help
notes for completing the form and a rules and guidance section.
But, basically to use this form and apply for your grant:

Note that you can no longer print and snail-mail the form! Skills Development Scotland will process your form and you should get approval very quickly. Examples of courses that you
can apply for that are covered by this grant include:

Adding other categories to your licence

PETALS

Fleet Instructors courses

ORDIT

But this is not an exhaustive list.
If you want help then give me
a call on 07711 336452 as I have spoken to them and am taking advantage of these
grants myself. If you need assistance further assistance please call their free helpline on 0800 783 6000.